[Fulltiming]

There are two weights that affect your Newell. First is the total weight of the trailer plus all the 'stuff' you put into it. The GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the surrogate of this since it is the weight of the trailer with the maximum load it was designed to carry. Second is the hitch weight of the trailer. This is the downward weight the hitch puts on the rear of the coach. It can be as little as a few pounds in the case of a trailer with wheels on the front and rear or typically 10-15% of the weight on the loaded trailer on a single or double axle trailer with the axles just to the rear of the center of the trailer.

For hill climbing, 100% of the weight of the trailer and its contents affects the performance of the coach and puts an extra load on the engine, cooling system, transmission, etc. In the early 1990's, Newells typically had a GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating=max weight of the coach, trailer and the contents of both) of 20,000 pounds greater than the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating=max weight of the coach and its contents). The hitch itself varied from coach to coach. Some had a hitch that would support a 2,000 pound tongue weight and pull a 20,000 pound trailer and others were fitted with a much lighter weight hitch. I have seen Newells advertised for sale listing a 5,000 pound hitch (500 pound tongue weight). Many, like mine, used heavier hitches so they could carry a large motorcycle lifted from the rear.